Kate Middleton has always had a special connection with Wimbledon, but there was one memorable year when she had to miss the tournament despite wanting to attend.
The Princess of Wales is a devoted tennis fan and serves as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. She has also taken on the tradition of presenting trophies to the singles champions, a role previously carried out by the Duke and the late Duchess of Kent.
Kate is a familiar face at Wimbledon and has made several appearances during the tournament over the years. She has attended matches, met players and even surprised fans waiting in the famous Wimbledon queue by helping to hand out tickets and collect payments.
However, in 2013, she was advised by doctors to stay at home as she was heavily pregnant with Prince George.
Her absence meant she missed a historic moment when Sir Andy Murray became the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.
Speaking to Sue Barker in the BBC documentary Our Wimbledon, Kate explained: “I was very heavily pregnant with George, so I wasn’t able to turn up.”
Sue replied that she had a very good reason for missing the final, but Kate admitted she had still hoped she might be allowed to attend.
“I was sort of, ‘Maybe I could go,’ but the doctors were like, ‘No,’” she recalled.
Kate later wrote to Murray to apologise for not being there and to congratulate him on his remarkable victory.
Fortunately, she was able to watch him make history again three years later. In 2016, Kate attended the men’s singles final with Prince William and saw Murray win his second Wimbledon title.
She was visibly delighted as he secured the victory.
After the match, Kate congratulated him, saying: “Many congratulations. It was a great game.”
William added: “So pleased for you, well done.”
Kate then told Murray: “You can relax with your family now.”
